Michigan Hockey set to host Michigan State in Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals

Michigan hockey’s season had ebbs and flows, ups and downs, and one heck of a hot streak once the calendar flipped to 2020.

Over the weekend Michigan had its last regular season series of the season, and a lot was on the line against the Minnesota Golden Gophers. With Big Ten Tournament seeding at stake, The Wolverines needed a good showing during the two game series to be in a position to host a series. Fortunately for the Wolverines, a shootout win for an extra Big Ten standings point on Friday and a 2-1 win on Saturday was enough for Michigan to receive favorable seeding in the B1G Tournament.

Michigan (16-14-4, 11-10-3 Big Ten) 38 points in the Big Ten tied with Minnesota and Ohio State for the second in the conference, but due to tie-breakers the Wolverines wound up with the No. 3 seed in the tourney.

Michigan will be facing a rival in the first round, a best-of-three series versus Michigan State starting on Friday. MSU swept Michigan earlier in the season, but Michigan has found their groove since then and returned the favor by sweeping the Spartans in February, winning the two games by a combined score of 9-2. The Wolverines currently sit at No. 17 in the Pairwise Rankings, just out of position to secure an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament. In order for Michigan to make the tournament, they’ll have to either win the Big Ten Tournament, or reach the finals to have any shot of moving up the Pairwise any further than they already are.

Michigan vs. MSU will take place at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and at 5 p.m. on Sunday (if necessary).